An Assessment of Poverty Determinants in U.S. Census Tracts, 1970-2010

Abstract

This paper studies the determinants of poverty in the U.S. at the census tract level using a geographically consistent panel data set for 1970-2010. The results are framed within the debate about the optimal design of local development strategies. The main conclusion drawn from our empirical analysis is that place-based and person-centered policies can be considered as complementary rather than as substitutes.